tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30823079035711377122018-03-20T10:59:15.890+10:00KRISTY BERRIDGEI'll try to keep it interesting, but I save the good stuff for my books!Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-8429847184227692292017-09-24T16:41:00.007+10:002017-09-24T16:41:59.680+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDA1CnAEolw/WcdS7ng6pOI/AAAAAAAACKA/O9IRVtphylwf8ELmZiP2iqahiMs61Gs0QCLcBGAs/s1600/MoralityWordCloud2_shutterstock_344435093-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDA1CnAEolw/WcdS7ng6pOI/AAAAAAAACKA/O9IRVtphylwf8ELmZiP2iqahiMs61Gs0QCLcBGAs/s320/MoralityWordCloud2_shutterstock_344435093-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h2>Hello Humanity - what happened to our Morality?</h2><div><h3>The human race – Mankind… and I am referring to you and me. </h3><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh my - Oh my, we should be so proud of ourselves, look at what wondrous things we have achieved these past years. Our wars don’t just kill thousands, they now kill millions! No validation here, we all take ownership of this bullshit! We either create or have created these campaigns and we nurture and encourage them with banal words of ‘look at me,’ ‘look at me’ with our twitter and Facebook remarks.&nbsp; We encourage and enlist as much help as possible in defining segregation by encouraging hate toward another’s religion, race while encouraging anger, violence and oppression - let us dominate and browbeat our fellow man…don’t forget bullying and our sexual preferences. Have I left anything out? Probably!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Have we made any advancements? Of course we have, but do they outway the negatives that now menace over us such as our wondrous planet slowly dying due to climate changes, our nations dying because of hatred for one another and the selfish “I want what they have” arrogances. Yes, of course we have made advancements. For example medicine, but do the needful benefit from this, of course not because there is no money in it! Bullshit isn’t it. There are folks who are dying who have no homes; no possessions, no money and we see the faces of starving children all the time, why? Is it to remind those who can afford more, to help, oh please do? As mere minions, why does it always fall upon us, can we not be led by example, please! How about the wealthy bodies of the world getting together, i.e. The Vatican to name but one entity – sell your hidden treasures and you will house and feed millions who desperately need it. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nope, your right, this ain’t gonna happen! Why? Because there is no humanity there is only greed and the “I wants of this world,” the entitled who think that they are better than the one standing next to them.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whatever your personal tenets of the concept of morality are, overall, surely they must ultimately address what is right and what is wrong. Do we forsake what is right to appear politically correct? Surely right or wrong is the individual’s natural right to self-preservation, after all who wants to be thought of as wrong!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Stephanie Jackson<o:p></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-49544522751357040572017-08-07T18:09:00.000+10:002017-08-07T18:09:32.181+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqA5oH83D3U/WYgffEKmQbI/AAAAAAAACJo/8xNYCEG8bP8FJPhWlRcH5FIJknDif-XKACLcBGAs/s1600/negative-energy-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqA5oH83D3U/WYgffEKmQbI/AAAAAAAACJo/8xNYCEG8bP8FJPhWlRcH5FIJknDif-XKACLcBGAs/s1600/negative-energy-c.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to rid yourself of&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">negative energy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">What are you drawn too? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">If its negative thoughts, then I am there with you…but only sometimes. However, it is real and it happens to us all at one point in time.&nbsp; I believe that we all need to change that relentless negative to positive in everything that we do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay we all get this and understand this, but how do we get rid of those niggling negative thoughts? That inner dialogue that speaks to us when we do not want or need it to, that inner dialogue that creates stress and havoc, purely out of misguided thoughts or unresolved questions - - where are the quieting moments?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mmmm not so easy is it?&nbsp; We can say positively that we will think positively…but we are only human and so, try as we might, we slip back to listening to the madness chaos that our minds create. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">We can do something ‘airy-fairy,’ like imagine something beautiful…yes; this will work for the short term, but not long term. Perhaps the honest and most logical approach is to face what is creating this negative energy, after all as complex human beings we exist, therefore we control, therefore we can create and change, and therefore we can choose what sort of energy we want around us. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">What is it that we want?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Presumptuous perhaps, but we want to be happy, we want to be productive, we want to love and live cohesively with those around us. We do not want negativity, we do not want misery, and we want to be content. We are the only ones that can change this.&nbsp; We have that power, we have the capacity to think, work, create and be whomever it is that we want! We don’t need the negativity, it stunts, and it creates melancholy and discontent…who wants that?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s easy, ‘you think what you feel’ or is that ‘you feel what you think!’<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Stephanie<o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-79019072272526000322017-06-18T15:41:00.000+10:002017-06-18T15:41:08.323+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzuhI3d2xAg/WUYSLD2AGpI/AAAAAAAACJY/7qe3hy8rvT0_b_n4J9xqloYkRcy94AjrwCLcBGAs/s1600/0ed4c5a0478158cbfb4f65cca93e4d39--kindness-ideas-kindness-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzuhI3d2xAg/WUYSLD2AGpI/AAAAAAAACJY/7qe3hy8rvT0_b_n4J9xqloYkRcy94AjrwCLcBGAs/s320/0ed4c5a0478158cbfb4f65cca93e4d39--kindness-ideas-kindness-quotes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kindness!<br /><div class="MsoNormal">Is it that hard? Really!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Its habit forming. If we do not receive any gratitude for ether a job well done, a little act of kindness for another that does not result in a simple thank you then yes, we become resentful. Therefore, we stop the acts of random kindness to others, this in turn becomes a habit and therefore kindness is relegated to the backbench not to be seen for some time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Are we so busy with our lives that we forget that a) we were once so young we needed help b) we relied so much on the Internet which now appears to be an extension to our bodily limbs…yes the bloody mobile! In addition, c) we are now too old, cranky and afraid of change that no one bloody cares anyway? What does this mean, an impersonal, antisocial, narcissistic society so involved with themselves that they forget or have forgotten human interaction? I am confused, what happened to being kind with and to one another?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Is it now classified as old fashioned to be kind? Do we now forget the random acts of kindness to another because we are afraid of negative response? Are we that pathetic? Conditioned, programmed and weak willed?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Kindness is like looking into a mirror, if you cannot be kind to yourself, how can you possibly be kind to another?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Empathy…there is no longer empathy. Please do not misunderstand me; I understand that there has to be technology in order to move forward.&nbsp; However, without empathy, sympathy and grace, how can humanity hope to survive? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I like to think that we all try always to look past the awful things that people can say or do in order to see them as a whole, albeit a complex person. Of course, sometimes, it is so much easier to assume the worst and yet so much harder to see them as whole entity, after all no one person is good or bad, they may be complicated, messy or perhaps even interesting but they are always worthy of being treated with dignity and respect. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you not think so?<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Stephanie Jackson<o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-23578324597133167382017-05-28T17:50:00.002+10:002017-05-28T17:50:49.455+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIY3zT-vb18/WSqBG4HIbZI/AAAAAAAACJI/unvsrGpfcDkvwnH4Cke6nhWAinJ95nYqACLcB/s1600/main_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="503" height="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIY3zT-vb18/WSqBG4HIbZI/AAAAAAAACJI/unvsrGpfcDkvwnH4Cke6nhWAinJ95nYqACLcB/s320/main_logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It would appear that cyber bullying has become a major issue, predominantly for teens and upcoming adults. Years before the internet it was schoolyard antics that drove children home in tears, now it’s the pouty-mouthed, snap-chatting, selfie-taking figure-heads of popularity that rule the bullying domain.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Suddenly suicide rates have increased and rates of depression among teens is skyrocketing. But what can we do to prevent this almost ‘normal’ state-of-affairs from reaching our future children?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Education?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Now I’m not talking about books and academics or putting the task of educating and also punishing the kids into the already overly-laden hands of our teachers, I’m talking about putting the responsibility of our children’s behaviour into our hands … parents, friends and family … the people who are supposed to care about the nature of our youths the most!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It sounds like a whimsical, tried and tested approach and yet, I still see parents allowing their children to wear inappropriate clothing for their age, roam the streets at darkened hours and speak as if they’ve earnt the right to abuse the English language with their texting shorthand and ways of naivety. The truth is we seemed to have stopped disciplining, supporting and encouraging as well as promoting the self-love and self-respect that kids these days are sorely lacking. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Along with fish lips and cleavage shots, it has become relative to trade sexual favours for popularity, discard self-respect and completely belittle intelligence or originality. We have bred a bunch of drones incapable of positive human emotion and this is somehow acceptable. When did children get pigeon-holed for their looks, their parent’s finances, sporting abilities or creative differences? Never mind race or gender equality. It seems we’ve stopped encouraging free-thinking, emotionally nourished children with self-respect, dignity and moral constitutions. What would have once been highly praised is now bullied via a coward’s platform … the internet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Unfortunately, I don’t believe that cyber or bullying of any variety will cease in the near future. As long as there are those that find it socially acceptable to berate or belittle another human being for their differences, education and discipline will only reach so far. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Solution?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-73665435299420158072017-04-25T14:11:00.001+10:002017-04-25T14:11:04.461+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgzPEqeVAcM/WP7MBRp3RnI/AAAAAAAACI4/uIwywO9Vj3gZnf8EQ8oXd-xIXcRhxVFdgCLcB/s1600/14cc0336c4f3a8f8829568aa8cf5eb9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgzPEqeVAcM/WP7MBRp3RnI/AAAAAAAACI4/uIwywO9Vj3gZnf8EQ8oXd-xIXcRhxVFdgCLcB/s1600/14cc0336c4f3a8f8829568aa8cf5eb9d.jpg" /></a></div><h2><i>I’ve been asked to write about: The male guide to female communication.</i></h2><div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">A tricky topic if ever I’ve encountered one. I think I’d rather blog about vaginal discharge and the do’s and don’ts of battery licking, but alas I’ve been laboured with this incredibly serious task that I honestly have no formal qualifications to quantify.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Most would expect me to write something along the lines of: The female is always right so just say, ‘yes, dear’ and be done with it, but that is almost never the case. So, rather than listing what I think men ‘should’ say or even how they ‘should’ communicate with women, I’ll simply write a list of the things we don’t like so you know what to avoid. Obviously if you decide to tell your wife or significant other that ‘yes, that blue dress does make you look fat’ then you’re going to get a slap. There’s a time and place for honesty too.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->When you’re running late, don’t tell her that she looks great because you want her to hurry up—we know you’re lying, give honest feedback instead (except the fat thing, I’m serious about the slapping). Let her know that perhaps her shoes would be better in another colour or a longer dress etc, etc—helpful feedback, not the kind where you’re literally seconds from shoving her face-first into the taxi.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->We love it when you listen to what we’re saying and remember it. I’m serious. When I have to repeat myself I almost always go postal. Aint nobody got time for that, especially a busy wife, mother or working woman!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->We hate it when you leave your clothes on the damn floor (especially next to the intended destination like the washing basket). Who picked it up for you before your significant other came along? Who washed it, folded it and put it away? That’s right … you did. We’re not your f#@king slaves, so be considerate.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->It may not be in your nature, but occasionally we love it when you do something unexpected that might actually help, like unpack the dishwasher and put everything away, hang out a load of wet laundry, vacuum the floor. We certainly don’t expect it, but definitely appreciate the small things, because if you attempt the big things like cook a gourmet meal, you’ll almost certainly f#@k it up and leave a massive mess for her to clean up which puts you back at square one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->Romance pays dividends. Not all the time. Cheesiness will also earn you a dick slap, but a foot rub while watching telly or making her a cup of coffee when you can see her day has been crazy will most probably earn you a BJ.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I could honestly go on. I have so many comparable situations in which male to female communication could be executed more fully, but in truth, there’s no better communication than the open dialogue you both share regularly and filtered with compromise. That’s not to say you couldn’t make more of an effort (you know you’re mostly a lazy bugger), but if you even start with listening … oh what a massive difference that would make. Unless of course you have the Olympic champion of talkers for a significant other, then feel free to tune out and Facebook until midnight. Nobody likes a Chatty Cathy!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-33278140789052493182017-04-09T15:36:00.001+10:002017-04-09T15:36:56.936+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKRs4xuEIWo/WOnH3BKWytI/AAAAAAAACIk/Mz6nk6vNO7Yk5yRwNsnmBL0XgT3guizgQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKRs4xuEIWo/WOnH3BKWytI/AAAAAAAACIk/Mz6nk6vNO7Yk5yRwNsnmBL0XgT3guizgQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The topic of marriage equality is a brazen one with many varied and conflicting opinions. There is a school of thought that marriage is only on equal footing between the stated form of normality—male and females. Presumably, if applying only biological factors there would be some truth in this. Men and women were created/bred/realised to be sexually compatible for the procreation of our very own species. But what happens when you take away physical and sexual functions of the human race and known capability and start to consider sentiment and emotion?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">For example: would the love between mother and child not be as powerful, if not more so than husband and wife? Is this not an equal form of love that is not celebrated time and time and again? What about brothers and sisters? Nieces/nephews and their aunties and uncles or even grandparents with their grandchildren. These are all celebrated and socially acceptable methods of equal love expression and yet, when a couple is solely female or solely male, the question of the purity of their love is bought into question.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The discussion of marriage equality is the most talked about and debateable subject worldwide (except for Donald Trump winning the American presidency) and sparks so many conflicting opinions. Should men marry men and should women be allowed to marry women? Who the hell are we to suddenly put constraints on yet another form of love’s expression? Should any one human being be forced to conform despite the driving force of their genetic compositions; their desires, needs, wants and rights to love any partner of their choosing?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Most of the populace accepts and celebrates the differences between us all and some governments worldwide have finally begun to listen to the mass outcry of the lesbian and gay communities fighting for social acceptance is a world where any type of love should not be challenged if operating under reasons of purity. The question is; even if marriage equality is finally legalised worldwide would that really mean an end to bigotry or social injustices or does it simply mean the majority rules?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: &quot;wingdings&quot;; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-82024723541741832232017-03-04T19:33:00.002+10:002017-03-04T19:33:33.035+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gt6ip4Crdp8/WLqJpQ6_cOI/AAAAAAAACIU/kZAHvpzUhzAVoailKl7VfcJHwgbroNLdQCLcB/s1600/freedom-of-speech-means-a-responsibility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gt6ip4Crdp8/WLqJpQ6_cOI/AAAAAAAACIU/kZAHvpzUhzAVoailKl7VfcJHwgbroNLdQCLcB/s320/freedom-of-speech-means-a-responsibility.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Freedom of Expression</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Freedom of expression; probably the most important value each of us holds dear. Without the ability to express ourselves freely, how can we grow as individuals?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Of course, there are many reasons expression is quashed; either political, personal, sexual, artistic—it’s entirely dependent on the situation and the expression’s relativity. Many would suggest that any form of expression is relevant or justified, but that’s simply not the case. We are lucky to live in such a liberal country where the freedom of expression is mostly respected, but can you imagine if there was no regulation on how we spoke our minds or expressed ourselves creatively or even sexually?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Most consider freedom of expression the ability to write poetry, converse with conviction (in terms of liberating a valid point), painting murals that represent the local area or protesting political oppression. But just imagine if extremist groups were left unchecked and people were beheaded in the main streets of capitals and cities because of the colour of their skin? What if you had your tongue removed by someone who didn’t like the way that you argued your point during a harmless religious conversation and what would happen if people were allowed to draw all over your brand new car in marker pens because they simply ‘felt’ like expressing distaste for your Prius blue?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Yes, freedom of expression is relevant and more important than so many other things that drive us daily, but there is a time and a place for its communication. To be able to express the sincerity of your beliefs and passions is just, but as long as that outpouring does not directly impact another individual in a negative light, then please, carry on painting penis’s on bus stops or attempting to force veganism on meat eaters.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-3361780158938461872017-02-23T18:31:00.002+10:002017-02-23T18:31:28.630+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXIPwjTJAD4/WK6dmucfBaI/AAAAAAAACH8/0wGSxKbfyIU26WktPY7KSVRKunQAQgvGACLcB/s1600/woman-proposing-to-man1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXIPwjTJAD4/WK6dmucfBaI/AAAAAAAACH8/0wGSxKbfyIU26WktPY7KSVRKunQAQgvGACLcB/s320/woman-proposing-to-man1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Talk of Marriage</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Talk of marriage has sprung up more than once in my household this week and to say that I'm both pleased and petrified by the thought would only be an admission of truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I suspect it might be the dream of many women globally to have the love of their life proclaim their undying devotion and desires for a future unending and filled with marital bliss. I'm not all that different, I even wonder occasionally how he will do it; billboard proposal, one knee, ring in a wine glass?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The truth is the thought of our beloved lavishing us with hefty bouts of attention and adorning us with jewellery is a major drawcard to the sacred union, but what if your partner insists the shoe be on the other foot? What if he refuses to propose in the hopes that you do all the hard work for him?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Enter the modern man; expectations of equality have been raised by the modern woman, so why wouldn't he expect the idea of marriage proposals to be a two-way street?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I can't say I disagree, but even the modern woman wishes that romance was a candle not so quickly extinguished by the ideas of the 21st century. We want our cake and to eat it too and perhaps this is grossly unfair in this day and age, but when my boyfriend wishes I'd propose the idea of a life together, pick my own ring and organise everything before, during and after; I almost want to slap modern day feminists for inciting this role reversal!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">When did this happen? When did my partner suddenly decide that he too deserved to be lavished with the attention and surprise of pending nuptials?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I have no answer and flatly refuse to give into this bid for equal rights. Perhaps I am selfish and old fashioned, but I'm also more than aware that on the relationship see-saw I don't ask for more than a partner can give and in this instance, I can keep teetering, bouncing up and down with the currents of our relationship until bended knee and extravagant rings appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-63389240997000547872017-02-18T17:05:00.001+10:002017-02-18T17:05:04.610+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asLBG2hbtdo/WKfxd5Cqn2I/AAAAAAAACHs/dYfgW1tlN3QCXkNm6S67zA6BSzI05H--wCEw/s1600/1458373999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asLBG2hbtdo/WKfxd5Cqn2I/AAAAAAAACHs/dYfgW1tlN3QCXkNm6S67zA6BSzI05H--wCEw/s320/1458373999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>10 Reasons why you should travel instead of work!</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">10. You’re not at work.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m sorry but this is flat out the best reason on the planet. Although you may love your job, there is nothing better than waking up to zero expectations and taking the day as it comes and frolicking in the possibility of ‘what if’.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">9. You experience a whole new country.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">There’s nothing better than the safety and comfort of your own backyard, but sometimes to be able to step into an ocean ten thousand miles away or explore uninhabited bushland or climb pyramids built eons before can open your eyes to a plethora of opportunity. Perhaps your conventional way of living may be inspired by the landscape of somewhere new or your palette cleansed to try a whole host of new and inviting cuisine. Exploring a country of unknown origin is often bursting with excitement and teaming with memories you will never forget.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">8. New food.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">At work we’re often slotting coins into the vending machine, scouring the canteen for something edible or pushing a homemade salad around the plate. When you’re travelling, you’re forced to try foods you might otherwise ignore when at home and within driving distance of a fast-food restaurant or supermarket. To step outside the comfort zone and taste what a new country has to offer is adventure in itself … unless you get gastro. That sucks.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">7. Learning a new language.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">There’s nothing wrong with English, it’s one of the most complex and beautiful languages on the planet, but you gotta admit, it’s kind of sexy to speak French or exciting to converse in Arabic.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">6. New opportunities.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">When travelling, you really don’t know what sort of opportunities might come your way. It could mean an entire lifestyle change; moving to a foreign country of choice, a new city because more exciting job opportunities may wait or even the ability to volunteer in remote and poor communities to satisfy the humanitarian within.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">5. Culture.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Believe it or not, experiencing a new culture is paramount to growth as an individual. To be able to see the world through another’s eyes and compare that lifestyle to what you already know and accept is both humbling and life-altering. Sometimes the culture of another country is so far removed from what we consider expectation that it forces you to broaden your horizons and objectively see things from a new perspective.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">4. Bills.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The honest truth is; if you’re travelling and not working then it probably means you don’t have any immediate bills to consider and I really I can’t see anything wrong with that. Unless of course you were a buffoon who booked everything on credit and will one day soon be forced to face the mounting debt of hasty decision making. The question then is: was it worth it?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">3. Relationships.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">As far as I’m concerned and, if your partner and family are with you, it tests boundaries and offers new ways to be cohesive when under suffrage of the same environment. However, if separated, then these bonds can be strengthened or severed depending on what you hope to achieve by the distance in travelling.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">2. Casual Fridays.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">When at work it’s a rarity to have a casual day where you no longer have to don the sleepwear style blouse or trademark black pants and safety shoes. When travelling you can wear whatever you want and often avoid the pesky laundering bills involved with keeping your work wear attire fresh.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">1.Adventure.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">How can you ever have an adventure when shackled to the desk for a nine-to-five? The number one reason anyone travels is to experience a new adventure—something outside the beacon of normality and filled with the possibility of something slightly more exciting then pen pushing and number crunching.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy<o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-63258205322532323502017-02-15T05:03:00.003+10:002017-02-15T05:03:18.642+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDqQ8-s0bc/WKNUG_49xpI/AAAAAAAACHQ/LI3Tq5bZulssMZoC96Eiz6buUFojTiIQwCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDqQ8-s0bc/WKNUG_49xpI/AAAAAAAACHQ/LI3Tq5bZulssMZoC96Eiz6buUFojTiIQwCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>How nice is nice?</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">How nice is too nice? Is there such a thing?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A lot of people would say that in a world filled with suffering, oppression, arrogance and disregard, being too nice couldn't possibly be something worthy of complaint. Usually I would agree, the world is seriously lacking in the sincerity and general kindness that this post hopes to inspire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">But what if your existence is nothing but a few thousand cubic meters of space and filled with people not generally influenced by the world on mass?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My town, for instance, is tucked away in the northern end of Australia; population approximately 160,000. There's enough people to create eccentricity, variation of cultural and religious belief as well as a government based on the ideals of the country's overall agenda, but still far enough removed to remain independent of major political upheaval. In this tiny town we may know the person living right next door or we may live with the window shades drawn in the hopes to remain anonymous; basic niceties are still expected regardless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Being nice, to me, is respecting each individual's choices to live breathe and work within this environment without judgement or expectation of certain behaviours. Being too nice would entail dropping baked goods on doorsteps each day or friends and colleagues calling hourly to check on one's wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">To be nice (or merely human) is to be considerate of your fellow man; let them merge into your traffic lane during rush hour. Let the neighbour's kids play cricket in your front yard when there's no safe place elsewhere. Let the elderly have your seat on public transport and of course, respect everyone's opinions yet still value your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It's all about balance. Being too nice isn't really a first world problem and to be fair, not the worst thing that anyone could encounter. There's no issue with overextending oneself or elaborating kindness; it can be annoying, but still much better than the alternative which is to not care at all. I personally know which one I'd prefer even if I do like to keep the shades drawn most days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy<o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-45823260407389563912017-02-04T12:07:00.003+10:002017-02-04T12:07:17.323+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi_Er9GmV-E/WJU3FIlcCZI/AAAAAAAACHA/sCZQi_zBNlcADzm6Pn2aglGGiSVT4XcngCLcB/s1600/psychology-of-colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi_Er9GmV-E/WJU3FIlcCZI/AAAAAAAACHA/sCZQi_zBNlcADzm6Pn2aglGGiSVT4XcngCLcB/s320/psychology-of-colour.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><h2><i>The Psychology of Colour!</i></h2><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The psychology of colour is a very real thing and has been adapted by many designers and decorators throughout the centuries in order to promote certain moods or to encourage the execution of certain activities within a space. Colour can demonstrate strength and compassion, weakness or fear.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Colour is often chosen based on the marketing techniques adopted by paint companies, in vogue designers or even magazines. If we are shown images of a certain colour palette and its possibilities often enough, we more often than not start to feel that this popular—often passing trend—might in fact be the perfect solution to own decorating needs. This is not exactly scientific, but it does prove the point of susceptibility in those impressionable and easily swayed by clever marketing techniques.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Colour—in a more scientific approach— is more often than not selected based on personal urge and the mood needed to be generated within the space. Corporate and construction often play with black and white for its strong, precise and credible simplicity. You might also see this in the fashion and makeup industry as a solid base for building a greater label.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Red is considered dangerous, sexy and inspires the appetite, so it’s often relegated to restaurants and bars, sports and recreation as well as anything to do with the sex industry. Green is earthy and organic, adopted mostly in the nutritional industry, medicine and even tourism. Blue is calming and clinical. You’ll often find this in dental and medical facilities, information technology companies and sometimes in corporate situations.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">There are a million other colours to choose from, each with a psychological or scientific purpose behind what the hue generally propagates in the human mind and thus your decision to apply yellow paint to your child’s bedroom is more often than not, a choice made unconsciously, driven by some emotional reaction, but mostly clever marketing and the generalised use of the colour in certain applications.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-26705728491904891122017-01-27T18:42:00.002+10:002017-01-27T18:42:17.072+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zid7sg-op8/WIsHqdzCbMI/AAAAAAAACFs/MagMrL3MD7QOkDIl2nDSta7xNL60UDdFgCLcB/s1600/fc1da939d81809f6ebdaea955d5478d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zid7sg-op8/WIsHqdzCbMI/AAAAAAAACFs/MagMrL3MD7QOkDIl2nDSta7xNL60UDdFgCLcB/s320/fc1da939d81809f6ebdaea955d5478d1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>When are you too old to work?</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">If I answered this question from the bottom of my heart, I’d probably say it’s around about the time the nappies come off. Let’s face it, age is irrelevant when the inclination to never clock a time card, lift a shovel, educate the young, enter nonsensical data or stitch up cuts is forever in the forefront of our lazy minds.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It is a rarity indeed to meet someone who actually enjoys pulling time at a nine-to-five. Work is merely a consequence of existence, a way of life we humans have propagated since the time of bartering and monetary exchange. There is no such thing as a free ride and work has simply become a fact of life.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">So the question of what age is too old to reel in an income really comes down to personal choice. Obviously there are physical factors that come into play: disabilities, declining function of limbs, vision impairment or mental faculties fading. These all play very relative roles in whether or not you are simply too old to go on making a contribution to society through paid exchange of work.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">However, there has been plenty of research into the decline of the elderly post retirement and these studies have actually proven that as human beings we require purpose in order to function. So even if you have decided to throw in the proverbial work towel because it’s becoming a drag to tote your colostomy bag around, make sure you stay active—both physically and mentally. You don’t want to kick the bucket weeks after you finally decide to enjoy your retirement only to find your children will spend the inheritance on booze and cheap strippers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Needless to say, work as long as you enjoy it, as long as you are physically and mentally capable and then make damn sure you spend all your hard-earned cash on yourself and partner. Don’t leave an inheritance and don’t worry about what happens when you’re gone, because life will almost certainly always progress forward whether you work yourself to the bone or live a life of relative happiness.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy<o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-16373820327300880642017-01-22T19:50:00.006+10:002017-01-22T19:50:59.733+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6c2e_1OEyk/WISAIc0-0hI/AAAAAAAACFc/NOoCzc8SnCU25jJlNaG6N_aoUFAI2A9TQCLcB/s1600/2e68000252519ee4ec68fb4c0876c54f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6c2e_1OEyk/WISAIc0-0hI/AAAAAAAACFc/NOoCzc8SnCU25jJlNaG6N_aoUFAI2A9TQCLcB/s320/2e68000252519ee4ec68fb4c0876c54f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Do girls matter and&nbsp;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>do we value them?</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I have been posed what I think might be a ‘light’ question of relativity, but is actually a very serious question when considering the answer: Do girls matter and do we value them?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The natural inclination is to respond with of course: How can girls not matter? They are the other half of this planet’s dominating species and the natural-born creation in which the birth of human life is propagated.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Girls or women, as I prefer to say, are the peanut butter to a jelly sandwich, the hammer to a nail and the coffin to a grave. Without us, there is just a sickly sweet, carb-loaded sandwich; a lonesome nail destined to inflict tetanus without a proper home; and an empty grave in order for weeds to grow.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Women are as relative as men are and equally important. Sure, there are times when individuals are undervalued, for example: High-paid careers, homemakers and schoolteachers, but in saying this, so are our male counterparts. When was the last time you heard about a fantastic stay-at-home dad who takes care of the house and virtually raises the kids while mum is at work? When was the last time we valued the backbreaking work of our male labourers—a job that (admit it girls) is physically beyond our capabilities?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">All too often men and women are compared and yet we don’t seem to stop and value the individual for their personal triumphs and academic accomplishments. Why does this topic arise so often and when will we see ourselves on equal ground that we never have to question whether or not girls matter and are we valued?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m simply going to end this by saying, I am Kristy Berridge—a girl and a human being—I am no more valuable than the kindly old man that lives up the street or my single-mother neighbour doing it tough with a teenager. We are all important and we all have credibility on this earth. The sooner we start to believe this, the sooner we can stop competing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-64751391519120483722017-01-15T03:47:00.003+10:002017-01-15T03:47:33.901+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5kGm8Yuubs/WHpj8n11FtI/AAAAAAAACFM/aoUfVvD2zBETQd_cbHPvAJAkhNfo6PAZgCLcB/s1600/Picture-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5kGm8Yuubs/WHpj8n11FtI/AAAAAAAACFM/aoUfVvD2zBETQd_cbHPvAJAkhNfo6PAZgCLcB/s320/Picture-7.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>10. Money<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Despite this thought process undoubtedly earning me a slap in the head from my mother, money really does ease many a burden of the low-income earner. I’m not talking about excessive bulges of cash in the wallet to toss at strippers or waste on Pokies at the casino, I’m talking about just that little bit of injection to help alleviate bills—enough that you don’t have to work full time and thus can spend more time doing the things that make you happy.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>9. Family<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Having a family, being with family, sending family to exile. No matter your vice, having family either near or far will generally put a smile on your dial. There’s very few people in the world that will understand your eccentricities and even accept them and for those of you that hate your DNA buddies, at least you just made Christmas shopping simpler.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>8. Holidays<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t think there’s a single soul on the planet that could say that they hate going on a holiday and, if you just so happen to be one of those people who doesn’t happen to enjoy luxuriating in the benefits of free time in a foreign place, then clearly you’re the devil incarnate.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>7. Exercise<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I can’t imagine this is high on the list of those that favour the couch to pounding the pavement, but exercise is almost certainly a must to happiness. Not only does it promote good health both inside and out, it also feeds the body endorphins—good for sufferers of depression or those susceptible to funks of laziness.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>6. Cooking<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I would have said ‘food’ as 99.9% of people in existence enjoy the process of eating, but there’s something special about cooking. Not only is there a sense of self-satisfaction when the dish has been accomplished, it’s a widely accepted extension of friendship and a communal way to enjoy the company of others. Cooking can alleviate stress and also be a fantastic way to maintain a wholesome, well-balanced diet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>5. Music<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Listening to music has been proven in studies to reduce stress and evoke a plethora of emotions in those engaged. Music has been around in some form or another for centuries, enhanced by time and contemporary arrangement, but the effects still remain the same—a must do to promote ongoing happiness.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>4. Looking through old photos<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Nothing is more nostalgic than dipping into funky-smelling photo albums of your past or into those of the people you love and exploring a past not always forgotten, but re-written in the present’s ink. So often the memories of yesteryear are photographed because they captured a moment in time encapsulating happiness. Need I say more?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>3. Sitting by the Seaside<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Warm sand between the toes, cool waters lapping over your skin while the heat of the midday sun beats down upon your brow? What could be better than lazy days at the beach alone or with friends and family? It’s the prefect sanctuary for time out and to reconnect with those you don’t always see.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>2. Date nights<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Been a while since things were a little saucy between the sheets or you and your partner weren’t engrossed in social media? Then go on a date night. I indulge every week without fail to not only re-establish your reasons for being together, but to re-connect on an intimate and personal level that is often over-looked with kids and busy, consumer-driven lives.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u>1. Friends<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I have left this last on the list because friends should never be taken for granted, but always be high on your list of priorities regardless. All of the things listed above can be enjoyed with friends and family and should be entered into often and without second thought … except date night … inviting anyone who isn’t your partner to bat lashes out or play footsies under the table with is just plain weird.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy<o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-74886210357667630322017-01-08T20:14:00.005+10:002017-01-08T20:14:55.956+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNMB21w2ZcM/WHIQ0hO2H0I/AAAAAAAACE8/n5UgIsgaJDAtuUu_PJ6bNxg5g484QLUngCLcB/s1600/14237580_10211089795580453_8239488333205412239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNMB21w2ZcM/WHIQ0hO2H0I/AAAAAAAACE8/n5UgIsgaJDAtuUu_PJ6bNxg5g484QLUngCLcB/s320/14237580_10211089795580453_8239488333205412239_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Donald Trump!</span></i></b><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">So Donald Trump made it; President elect and the first orange man to run the United States of America.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Despite what you may think of him personally, the people of America have spoken and they have decided their ultimate leader.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m not personally politically savvy enough to have too much of an opinion about this man and it certainly wouldn’t be fair to do so as my assumptions would be based entirely on watching Celebrity Apprentice and current exploits via the news or internet marketing. I will say this though; never has an election sparked so much world-wide outrage and conflicting opinion. For the first time since September eleven, the entire world was watching the movements of the United States and praying for their safety and the safety of their own country’s future financial security.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">How can one man bear the burden of so much responsibility and also be the possible catalyst for the ruin of not just one nation but many?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The question is on everyone’s lips and the result of this presidential election is proof that the old adage of parents telling you that you can be or do anything in life really rings true. I remember I once thought about being a Marine Biologist. I believed it was as easy as donning a mask and snorkel and swimming with a pod of Dolphins. Despite Donald Trump’s numerous business successes, he must have had someone whispering in his ear that he could run an entire country and all it would take was a suit and tie, a fistful of bigotry and a new wig to make it happen. You certainly can’t blame the man for trying when it appears it’s as simple as that.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I suppose it means that policies and political opinions aren’t really important either in debates or victories. The BBC News recently reported that twenty-four of Donald Trump’s pre-elective promises and bizarre beliefs have now been recanted in light of his recent elected state. For example: Mexico should build a great wall to prevent criminals and rapists from entering the US. In the wake of terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Muslims should also be banned from the country. Should I even mention climate change? I’m sorry … Donald Trump believes this is just ‘weather’ and climate change is a hoax. I’m not even going to mention his apparent indiscretions or numerous sexual misconduct charges recently raised against him.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The point really is that the majority of this powerful nation has voted Donald Trump in to incite some sort of major change and to shake the very foundations that this great nation was built upon. As an outsider looking in, I’m both highly surprised by this outcome and yet supremely curious to see where his victory will lead. Donald Trump now has the opportunity to lead his country into a new revolution of ideas, greater acceptance and progressive change, but he also has the power to divide its multicultural and multiracial residents to incite another civil war.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Let’s just hope this man surrounds himself with plenty of varied and smarter intellectuals to lead the United States of America into a bright and positive future.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-62265586423736251462016-12-29T10:08:00.001+10:002016-12-29T10:08:06.147+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0K9CfEMoqA/WGRTlx1T0dI/AAAAAAAACEs/p-re6uP1e0YizDYNp076yWF95GR9gqeIgCLcB/s1600/Money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0K9CfEMoqA/WGRTlx1T0dI/AAAAAAAACEs/p-re6uP1e0YizDYNp076yWF95GR9gqeIgCLcB/s320/Money.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>CEO's Receive Massive Bonuses!</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">These are the headlines that line our newspapers and cover our favourite newsworthy blogsites and forums. It’s amazing how many top executives are receiving a hefty annual income bolstered by exorbitant bonus obligations by company stockholders. It’s almost a daily occurrence that hard working citizens the world over are shocked and outraged by the amount of money these seemingly ‘lucky’ fat-cat executives receive simply for doing their jobs.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m not going to lie, there’s a part of my scalp that itches and my left eye twitches when I hear about someone already in a position of power being paid yet another annual bonus of multi-millions because they can. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Over the past four years, twenty of the U. S’s top banks paid out more than two billion dollars in deductible performance bonuses to their top executives. In Australia, pay packets did shrink by an average of three percent, but the annual payout of bonuses increased dramatically leading to investigations by several major authorities.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">These annual increases in bonuses and often hefty supplement salaries have also become topics of debate among politicians and used as a platform to coerce votes. It’s safe to say that there’s nothing that pleases the lower income-earner more than knowing the rich will somehow be penalised for their success and the playing field levelled for those not capable of keeping up with the Jones’s.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I have to wonder if these newspaper articles and blog reports regarding company expenditure and bonus payout don’t just irk us simply because we are not the intended recipients? I have no doubt that some major corporations are underhanded in their executive appointment of salaries and bonuses while the worker bees of the company are set to suffer on minimum wage. I also have no doubt that some of these CEO’s have sacrificed time with their loved ones; hours upon hours spent in corporate towers worldwide going over documents and overseeing projects. There is fairness and blatant acts of disregard for employees across any occupation whether entry level or executive.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It’s easy for a lower income-earner like myself to criticise big companies for their gross expenditure on a few, highly prioritised individuals rather than the worker populace as a whole, but that would also be a massive assumption on my part that every profitable company is extorting their workers for the sake of executive income.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">For example, LinkedIn’s CEO—Jeff Weiner—boosted employee morale this year by distributing his annual fourteen-million-dollar stock bonus to avoid internal talent from jumping the proverbial ship. Bill Gates—net worth ninety-billion-dollars—consistently gives his money away to various charity groups including giving thirty-billion-dollars to the Melinda Gates Foundation to fight hunger, disease and poverty. Spanx founder—Sara Blakely—has helped many women world-wide finance their college educations and also donated one million to Oprah’s Leadership Academy for girls in South Africa.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">As you can see, despite our own personal jealousy and inability to subsidise our own low incomes with multi-million dollar bonuses, there are top company executive out there trying to make a difference in a world so desperately driven by the almighty dollar. Although there are those that abuse a multitude of systems and some that support abolishing poverty too, it’s simply best to focus on what you can control; your own personal contribution to either your wealth or the betterment of those not nearly as financially settled. Every single day someone dies from poverty-stricken conditions. The choice is really up to the individual to make a difference and if that person isn’t you, then how the hell can you ride a high horse about CEO’s that may at least try?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Kristy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-53068128890658045322016-12-18T11:22:00.000+10:002016-12-18T11:24:32.872+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_vAmauDNmc/WFXkUYQi-kI/AAAAAAAACEc/nVuXB25ceMYxIGC38vh-Rokh1mHcYaajQCLcB/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_vAmauDNmc/WFXkUYQi-kI/AAAAAAAACEc/nVuXB25ceMYxIGC38vh-Rokh1mHcYaajQCLcB/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">The Iraq war has been a hot topic of conversation since the early eighties when Dictator Saddam Hussein launched indiscriminate ballistic-missile attacks on Iran and messed with chemical weapons. Since this time, millions of people have lost their lives, Islamic state extremists have emerged and a growing refugee crisis has forced the world to pay attention to the evolution of racism, religious discontent and the middle-eastern upheaval.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">But what does the Iraq war or any war on terrorism have to do with us?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">It’s an interesting question and one that billions of people informed or uninformed ask themselves regularly. Terrorism in any measure is defined by the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence to intimidate in the pursuit of political gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Terrorism has become an accepted term that citizens throughout the world recognise as the leading form of oppression and the greatest driving force between the breakdown of communication between religious sects and countries divided in belief. But again, how does this affect us? How is global terrorism affecting our commercialised consumer-driven lifestyles?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">For one, the families of the soldiers on both sides of this equation are suffering with the loss of life and love. Though divided by purpose, these people share commonality and yet, compassion remains absent despite the loss being substantially equal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Trust has ebbed between foreign leaders, allied armies and even the general populace. We are now so consumed by the fear of the unknown that racism often rears its ugly head. What was once celebrated as our differences is now scorned for its possibility of future wrong-doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">No longer can we travel freely between countries of interest for fear of political backlash or religious agenda. We are screened at public airports for explosive devices and are regularly updated via social media about what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Our differences as human beings once set the tone for the uniqueness that inspired the best in all of us, but now we huddle in mass and conform, mostly to maintain personal safety or avoid public scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">The effects of terrorism, localised discrimination or middle-eastern wars are so wide-spread and accepted as normal in this day and age it’s no wonder our evolutionary process has slowed in its tracks. Our intellect is poisoned by our emotional drive to avoid those people and activities that are different from us. Naturally it’s easy to assume that a change in perception will ultimately inspire correction in our global attitudes, but realism must be adopted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Good vibes and peace and love sentiments from a small percentage don’t incite change, but in saying that, when the human race decides to stop believing that the individual has the power to make a real difference; to change perceptions and recalibrate government powers for the greater good, we will really see the effects of war and terrorism. Why? Because it means that we no longer care and that is simply unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Kristy</span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-77708543211956784192016-12-11T10:49:00.004+10:002016-12-11T10:49:29.973+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efpPqZEzKGs/WEyiSQgemnI/AAAAAAAACEE/8TdALSZ9Z7gqRC2gIGPV4Dun3c1FZkS8QCLcB/s1600/smiley-hugs-being-nice-133504_450_330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efpPqZEzKGs/WEyiSQgemnI/AAAAAAAACEE/8TdALSZ9Z7gqRC2gIGPV4Dun3c1FZkS8QCLcB/s320/smiley-hugs-being-nice-133504_450_330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>How nice is too nice?&nbsp;</b></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Is there such a thing?</b></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A lot of people would say that in a world filled with suffering, oppression, arrogance and disregard, being too nice couldn't possibly be something worthy of complaint. Usually I would agree, the world is seriously lacking in the sincerity and general kindness that this post hopes to inspire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">But what if your existence is nothing but a few thousand cubic meters of space and filled with people not generally influenced by the world on mass?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My town, for instance, is tucked away in the northern end of Australia; population approximately 160,000. There's enough people to create eccentricity, variation of cultural and religious belief as well as a government based on the ideals of the country's overall agenda, but still far enough removed to remain independent of major political upheaval. In this tiny town we may know the person living right next door or we may live with the window shades drawn in the hopes to remain anonymous; basic niceties are still expected regardless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Being nice, to me, is respecting each individual's choices to live, breathe and work within this environment without judgement or expectation of certain behaviours. Being too nice would entail dropping baked goods on doorsteps each day or friends and colleagues calling hourly to check on one's wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">To be nice (or merely human) is to be considerate of your fellow man; let them merge into your traffic lane during rush hour. Let the neighbour's kids play cricket in your front yard when there's no safe place elsewhere. Let the elderly have your seat on public transport and of course, respect everyone's opinions yet still value your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It's all about balance. Being too nice isn't really a first world problem and to be fair, not the worst thing that anyone could encounter. There's no issue with overextending oneself or elaborating kindness; it can be annoying, but still much better than the alternative which is to not care at all. I personally know which one I'd prefer even if I do like to keep the shades drawn most days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-60491101761033957432016-12-04T21:04:00.002+10:002016-12-04T21:06:01.297+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uEpTWX61QU/WEP3o16E8SI/AAAAAAAACD0/Y-XlFWtql281bS0zUQsuilQ44jk1y-10QCLcB/s1600/wedding_proposal_iStock_000006083584XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uEpTWX61QU/WEP3o16E8SI/AAAAAAAACD0/Y-XlFWtql281bS0zUQsuilQ44jk1y-10QCLcB/s320/wedding_proposal_iStock_000006083584XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Who Asks Who?</b></i></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Talk of marriage has sprung up more than once in my household this week and to say that I'm both pleased and petrified by the thought would only be an admission of truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I suspect it might be the dream of many women globally to have the love of their life proclaim their undying devotion and desires for a future unending and filled with marital bliss. I'm not all that different, I even wonder occasionally how he will do it; billboard proposal, one knee, ring in a wine glass?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The truth is, the thought of our beloved lavishing us with hefty bouts of attention and adorning us with jewellery is a major drawcard to the sacred union, but what if your partner insists the shoe be on the other foot? What if he refuses to propose in the hopes that you do all the hard work for him?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Enter the modern man; expectations of equality have been raised by the modern woman, so why wouldn't he expect the idea of marriage proposals to be a two-way street?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I can't say I disagree, but even the modern woman wishes that romance was a candle not so quickly extinguished by the ideas of the 21st century. We want our cake and to eat it too and perhaps this is grossly unfair in this day and age, but when my boyfriend wishes I'd propose the idea of a life together, pick my own ring and organise everything before, during and after; I almost want to slap modern day feminists for inciting this role reversal!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">When did this happen? When did my partner suddenly decide that he too deserved to be lavished with the attention and surprise of pending nuptials?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I have no answer and flatly refuse to give into this bid for equal rights. Perhaps I am selfish and old fashioned, but I'm also more than aware that on the relationship see-saw I don't ask for more than a partner can give and in this instance, I can keep teetering, bouncing up and down with the currents of our relationship until bended knee and extravagant rings appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy :)<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-87024290245024114742016-11-27T09:22:00.003+10:002016-11-27T09:22:46.519+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdJV8CTuzVI/WDoY7kBeD9I/AAAAAAAACDk/8qFCxyLem24CKcoZPmSok3PlmMHYn7rfwCLcB/s1600/whats-on-your-mom-bucket-list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdJV8CTuzVI/WDoY7kBeD9I/AAAAAAAACDk/8qFCxyLem24CKcoZPmSok3PlmMHYn7rfwCLcB/s320/whats-on-your-mom-bucket-list.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">A List ...</span></i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I recently went out with a long-time friend that I had not seen in quite some time. As life usually goes, time gets away from us all and before you know it, eons have passed and everything you once knew about your friendship has changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">This isn't always a bad thing. Change is about growth and more often than not it can strengthen the ties that originally bound you as friends or even help you to better understand the differences.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">We've known each other since we were knee high to a grasshopper and back then we had grandiose ideas of saving the world, living together in a cubby house and never to be shackled to the ideas of the seemingly expected and ordinary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Both now fully inducted into the world of adulthood, I took the route of random travel and creative solutions to my career which have never been particularly successful. I have bounced from job to job and ideas of my ultimate form of bliss. I may have seen the world, but I'm perpetually restless and without family. She on the other hand, studied hard in the science and mathematics field, earned herself multiple degrees and met the love of her life and started a beautiful family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Never have two people been poles apart yet so closely linked by the ideals of our past. This of course was uncovered during our recent discussion about our successes and failures ... the things we still expect and want from a life only part way through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">She spoke to me about a list, nothing unheard of and most commonly known as a bucket list, I was curious. What was the point of writing random lists of the seemingly unachievable during our declining age?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Her answer was poetic; to write it down is to hold oneself accountable for your desires unfulfilled and yet it's completely achievable should you actually believe that your ambitions are worth pursuing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I was floored and have thus considered that the list was not a flight of fancy anymore, but perhaps a true challenge to be pursued with vigor to not only enrich my life, but to remind me that regret would be ultimately more unfathomable than attempting to continue to invest in dreams unfulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-75866375837518549802016-11-20T17:40:00.002+10:002016-11-20T17:40:13.515+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8V_FlGOrmo/WDFS4WSQoKI/AAAAAAAACDU/elHE22Mdyw8e1hda3vRdlQHfGdR3EJLmQCLcB/s1600/539fc4f618a87_-_cos-04-guy-kissing-girls-neck-de-mscn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8V_FlGOrmo/WDFS4WSQoKI/AAAAAAAACDU/elHE22Mdyw8e1hda3vRdlQHfGdR3EJLmQCLcB/s320/539fc4f618a87_-_cos-04-guy-kissing-girls-neck-de-mscn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Monogamy becomes Monotonous?</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">When you become a couple; ergo, your single status is annihilated and you’re suddenly inhaling each other’s poo particles in the bathroom each morning, it’s amazing how quickly the mystery you’d worked so hard at maintaining is tossed aside in lieu of comfortability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It begins with gas emissions. First these were simply a strange concept neither of you discussed nor indulged, but once in the comfort zone, many partners feel this is the green light to explore warming the bed sheets or easing the burden of a rather large meal by ‘tooting’ their appreciation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Suddenly everyone’s burping, farting and regularly leaving the toilet bowl desecrated. There’s no more mid-week bonks on the kitchen bench and clipping fingernails becomes an afterthought. Do I even mention the weight gain and decidedly lacklustre attempt to brush one’s hair on the weekend?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I personally HATE this trend towards laziness, because that’s exactly what it is … laziness. When did it become okay not to respect your partner’s vested interest in you? When is it okay for a woman to stop dressing to impress or a man to release all bodily functions? I for one vote to always keep the mystery, attempt to re-claim romance regularly and to maintain a high standard of hygiene, otherwise what’s the point of monogamy if suddenly it becomes monotonous?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Just my view …<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-hansi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-35165324343205154792016-11-16T07:08:00.003+10:002016-11-16T07:08:41.666+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rwylAJF30co/WCt5DNMX8FI/AAAAAAAACDE/yAr3sP-406gyF5bIXixqTRptHPYr3NSvQCLcB/s1600/Confusion-cartoon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rwylAJF30co/WCt5DNMX8FI/AAAAAAAACDE/yAr3sP-406gyF5bIXixqTRptHPYr3NSvQCLcB/s320/Confusion-cartoon1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>SO MANY OPTIONS!</b></i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I was talking to a friend today about the plethora of opportunities available in regards to career. She’s at the tender age of twenty-one and has the world at her feet. As far as I’m concerned, she’s sitting on the precipice of a multitude of exciting and varied paths that many people take for granted … she’s doing that now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Take me; I’m an interior designer, practice manager, receptionist and writer. I mean, good God! Clearly I have trouble making decisions and thus I have many regrets about my scattered choices—namely not choosing a career that can make me squillions of dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">While my dear friend is unfortunately caught in that same rut of indecision, I could do no more than encourage her to take a step back and consider something grander than our monotonous nine-to-five job. While she shrugged her shoulders and lingered no longer than ten seconds on my advice, I started plotting my life as a travel writer. I figured I could fly to exotic destinations and swing from the trees like a monkey and ride African wildebeest like a jockey. Or can I?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Surely quitting my feasible existence and taking up the whimsy of ‘what if?’ would be preferable to wasting my life on data entry?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It’s a mixed bag, isn’t it? While some were smart in their choice to pursue higher education or due diligence in lucrative careers and apprenticeships, my friend and I—despite our massive age difference—are very much tied to a menial existence based on poor choices, indecision or fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It’s so interesting that with so many opportunities out there, we often baulk at a chance to change our life because it either takes us from our comfort zone or we feel inadequate. And so, we tend to complain about our current set of circumstances, knowing that we are the only ones with the power to change our existence, but remain unwilling to be culpable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Perhaps it’s time to stop make excuses and start moving forward with a solution. I’ll keep you posted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-hansi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-32624560901990601732016-11-11T14:04:00.002+10:002016-11-11T14:04:34.693+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoXnRr3Vf4k/WCVCwxP3c7I/AAAAAAAACC0/-4Syw_ifEo0aW0vqY7Jyeimc5EPsg9ZtgCLcB/s1600/afe404dce36d434085367a65e293d9b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoXnRr3Vf4k/WCVCwxP3c7I/AAAAAAAACC0/-4Syw_ifEo0aW0vqY7Jyeimc5EPsg9ZtgCLcB/s1600/afe404dce36d434085367a65e293d9b2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Doctor!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you ever head to the doctors and exit your appointment even more confused than when you entered?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Well, take The Cockney; he’s middle-aged, in good general health, but like many of us, concerned about our aging issues and how best to maintain a good standard of healthy living. Gone are the days where there’s nothing we can do about our high blood pressure or rising cholesterol; there’s a medicinal or natural solution to most situations and given The Cockney’s obsession with staying fit, active and healthy, he goes regularly to the doctor in search of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Last night we were seated at dinner (our weekly romantic date) and discussing his latest visit with his general practitioner. I know, not exactly scintillating stuff, but I have to tell you he made me laugh so hard I almost spat my drink clear across the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Picture this; I sat sipping on my lemon, lime and bitters, pretending to be interested in his latest results for his cholesterol and dietary requirements when he tells me the doctor sent him for blood test and sample collection. Naturally I started to listen, as taking blood sounds semi-serious to those of us that generally run right past those clinics in a bid to ignore whatever health concerns can’t be diagnosed without peeing in a cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Anyway, next thing I know he explains that the doctor hands him a cup and says, ‘I need a sample’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My dear, sweet Cockney glanced at the little plastic cup and yellow lid and failed to ask the most paramount question of all: ‘What sort of sample?’ And thus, he headed off to the bathroom, clueless, but determined not to fail in this medical mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">With baited breath I sat waiting for the punchline. When I asked him exactly what he’d filled the cup with, his response had been, ‘Well, I went with what I needed to do most, so went with that.’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Drink now expelled from my lips and my laughter shaking the very foundations of the restaurant we sat in, I explained that he probably just wanted a urine sample.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">‘Oh,’ The Cockney answered. ‘Well I guess that explains the look on his face when I handed back a full jar of my poo.’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy :)&nbsp;</span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-63818297333486514782016-11-06T11:51:00.000+10:002016-11-06T13:12:48.920+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--slY-5VDbe0/WB6MCc3EZoI/AAAAAAAACCM/jZWew1nKOg8_5beDYb48XzEhRAfG9W1LQCLcB/s1600/trump%2Band%2Bclinton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--slY-5VDbe0/WB6MCc3EZoI/AAAAAAAACCM/jZWew1nKOg8_5beDYb48XzEhRAfG9W1LQCLcB/s320/trump%2Band%2Bclinton.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T&amp;C </i>OR <i>C&amp;T</i></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Well as you know </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> are one of the hot topics of the NOW for American politics:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The American charge to elect a new president is really heating up and is probably the most talked about election of the century. Never have two candidates been more polarised, globally discussed or in a position to either instigate crucial change or bring the world’s most powerful nation to its knees. America has the unenviable task of deciding the suitability of two essentially inexperienced individuals to run a country with the highest mainstream influence in the areas of: business and finance, international political relations as well as entertainment and media persuasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It’s no wonder Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are turning up the volume on their policies and obvious dislike for one another. With so much at stake, it makes sense to drag your opponent through the verbal mud in the hopes of sullying their good name and disguising any viable policies with a media frenzy. Or does it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Do voters really want to waste time listening to the theatrics of the ego-driven antics of politicians determined to have their point heard even to the detriment of their political image?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I say no.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Politicians are under the impression that voters are incapable of making decisions without influence and thus spend half of their campaign—as these two have done—slagging each other off in an attempt to vilify their opponent and destroy their credibility. Ironically, if the same amount of time used to insult and insinuate lack of suitability for the slot of president were devoted to genuinely forging stronger policies, I expect the American people would be happier.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">And, if you take the time to read the policies that Hilary and Donald stand for, it becomes clear that these two incredibly driven and passionate individuals are fighting for exactly the same cause; a stronger, more well-rounded American economy with better infrastructure, new immigration reforms, education and health care systems. Does it not scream ludicrous to continue to hold these popularity contests when both campaigners appear to be largely in sync?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It’s only now as we globally view this election and the sensationalised candidates do we take a step back and consider the possibility of unity. Yes, it is essential that one person occupies the seat of national leader and yes, of course there is opposing opinions and different goals for each party, but surely more can be accomplished on a global scale if the parties work together for the greater good of the country, not just the betterment of themselves?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Kristy </span><span style="font-family: &quot;wingdings&quot;; font-size: 10.0pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082307903571137712.post-77926209256361383112016-11-02T10:38:00.001+10:002016-11-06T16:35:58.024+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY7D9dKx-HY/WBk1QQLNO0I/AAAAAAAACB8/KLrxqhQYTzECxbAh1QqOk5m8tEhXqylqgCLcB/s1600/Front_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY7D9dKx-HY/WBk1QQLNO0I/AAAAAAAACB8/KLrxqhQYTzECxbAh1QqOk5m8tEhXqylqgCLcB/s320/Front_Cover.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>100 Days of Happiness</b></span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The good, the bad and the ugly--phrasing used many times by a variety of people to describe personality, food, travel and situations of happenstance.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">100 Days of Happiness encompasses this paraphrasing and although the title suggests 'happiness', what does happiness really mean? Is it a session embodied with hysteria or is it the physical act or smiling?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Happiness--to me--is a multi-faceted act of being, that can include even the darkest of emotions. It's rather simple to find happiness in celebrated moments or circumstances bearing positive results, but what would it mean to find happiness while discovering oneself after family tragedy? What if happiness was unearthed because one overcame the spiralling torment of depression without drugs or the help of bystanders?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Surely happiness can take the form of a lesson learned or an unexpected twist in fate that may lead to a life saved despite the loss of another?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The question of happiness is of course subjective and addressed via many facets within the novel. Sadness does not always equate to misery, but in fact an opportunity to change your circumstances. The truth of anyone's happiness stems from the personal experience and the choice of interpretation.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where would 100 Days of 'Happiness' take you if you allowed the idea of multiple emotions to collaborate?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kristy </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">J</span></i></span></span><br /><o:p></o:p>Kristy Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15775406762184771838noreply@blogger.com0